|
|
The Carpenter family gathers
as their father, Joe prepares to die at home. Although grown, the siblings
demonstrate the roles they have become accustomed to. Kate, the eldest,
takes charge like their mother, Elizabeth but is not quite as overbearing.
Chris, the middle child, stuns his sisters with the news that he is estranged
from his wife. And Kim, the youngest, is the creative one who never seemed
to fit in with the rest of the family . Monica and Tess, as the home-care
nurse and interior decorator (respectively), get caught in the crossfire as
Chris and Kim resist Kate's domineering behavior. The angels' mission is
to help expose a family secret before Joe dies. Andrew, the Angel of
Death, informs his comrades that that time is rapidly approaching. Amidst
a heated argument, Kate exposes the secret--Kim is not Joe's biological
daughter. Upon returning from a brief trip, Elizabeth convenes a family
meeting to discuss the matter. Years ago, she had a torrid affair with her
husband's business partner. Joe forgave his wife and raised Kim as his own
daughter. Though this disclosure threatens to tear the family apart,
Andrew arranges for Joe to receive a special dispensation: the bed-ridden
father is able to walk downstairs, play the hymn, "'Til We Meet
Again," on the piano and converse lucidly with his family. Monica and
Tess urge them to follow his attitude of love and forgiveness. Joe dies
with his family gathered around him, singing "'Til We Meet Again" in
four-part harmony.
|
